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Since opening in 2003, The Tasting Room has morphed from a wine bar to a full-service restaurant with four locations—all while retaining its wine-bar charm and racking up numerous awards and accolades. Diners can select libations from a list that boasts more than 200 wines, pairing them with contemporary dishes whipped up by executive chef Jonathan LeBlanc. TTR offerings run the gamut from small plates of mini grilled sandwiches and classic bruschetta to entrees including creole-spiced quail and Jamaican jerk chicken breast, which diners can savor at windowside tables or on the plant-ensconced patio and garden area.
The eatery doesn't just sate hunger for eclectic classics and thirst for fermented grapes. It also hosts live music, meetings, and events such as 2011's Grapes vs. Grains, which pitted beer against wine in a liquid wrestling match. The owners have their hands in other culinary enterprises, too. There's the Houston Cellar Classic, for example, an annual celebration of food and wine. Also popular is MAX's Wine Dive, a destination for gourmet comfort food best defined by its slogan—"Fried chicken and champagne? ... Why the hell not?"

Live music fills the air every night in Sambuca 360's futuristic lounge space, urging hips to sway with strains of everything from acoustic rock to high-energy dance music. The food is equally energetic—chefs craft globally influenced entrees and small plates such as lobster enchiladas in a poblano cream sauce and tempura-fried buca beignets stuffed with mozzarella and prosciutto. Mixologists craft more than 30 creative cocktails—many of which are designed with low-calorie diets in mind—at a glowing, saffron-colored bar that touches the stage, allowing revelers to sip an agave-nectar margarita or mango-peach martini between cheered requests for the band to play a favorite tune or play in a favorite guitar tuning.

Visit the Houston Symphony for an eventful night you will never forget. The talented symphony's stage is set inside the historic and grand Jones Hall. The Houston Symphony puts on a variety of high quality performances throughout the year. Before the performance begins join the free Prelude Pre-concert for a chat with the conductor or a guest speaker. Then get ready to view a spectacular performance that will enrich as well as inspire. After the show dine at the superb in-hall restaurant. Order from their menu that includes table-side grilled Panini sandwiches and a hand tossed gourmet salad station.

Founded in 1983 by comedian Danny Martinez, The Comedy Showcase hosts touring and local gut-busters in a casual, intimate atmosphere. A menu of tasty appetizers and frosty drinks provide ample fuel for night-long laugh sessions.

Popular globetrotting pop collective Architecture in Helsinki transforms the upstairs stage of Houston's Fitzgerald's into a throbbing, futuristic discotheque as its latest tour storms American shores. Formed in Melbourne, the ambidextrous dance band stirs fans with a tornado of flamboyant sounds, infectious anthems, and commitment-free instrument swapping. With hits such as “Do the Whirlwind” and latest single “Contact High,” lead crooner Cameron Bird and his cakewalking team of tunesmiths tickle ear bones and rehabilitate ankles in support of its latest album, Moment Bends. During the kaleidoscopic performance, the band seduces dance floors with 10-foot hooks and sounds culled from hypnotic synths, romantic glockenspiels, and strummed chest hairs. Filling out the bill, Swedish dance wizards Lo-Fi Fnk enchant with instant club hits and songs for strobe-light campfires, and pop enthusiasts Dom charm with stargazing Casios.

Munch on tasty pub grub at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar.
Diners who avoid fat need to be careful, though, because Pete's Dueling Piano Bar's menu does not offer low-fat options.
Ready for a drink to unwind? At Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, you can pair your meal with something from their full bar.
Perfect for parties on the larger side, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar also has a private area available for use.
Live tunes and a dance floor will keep you coming back for more.
The music and crowds can create quite a racket at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar — noise levels can reach the upper registers.
Weekend visitors to the restaurant are well advised to take advantage of the reservation system — crowds tend to pack the place on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pete's Dueling Piano Bar offers an informal dining experience for those who are allergic to jackets and ties.
Ample parking is available — the nearby lot is open to diners, as is valet, if preferred. For those who choose to find their own space, street parking is also an option.
Prices at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar typically stay below the $30 mark, so you can afford to bring along a friend or a date.
All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Chow down on breakfast, lunch, or dinner fare at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar — they're open for all three meals.